Commerce workshop with exporters set
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Boost needed amid sluggish world trade
The Commerce Ministry will hold a workshop next week with exporters of 20 top products to seek measures to help them cope with sluggish global trading.
The workshop will discuss with each sector how to promote exports after many countries have experienced economic slowdowns and consequent lower demand for imported goods.
Amparwon Pichalai, deputy director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan would himself chair the meeting to increase the likelihood of plans arising from the workshop to gain approval.
“After the discussion, the problems faced by each export sector should be solved soon. The minister will immediate order all involved to form an action plan to help promote exports of each sector,” Amparwon said.
Exports in the first seven months grew by only 0.6 per cent year on year to US$132 billion (Bt4.25 trillion), while the ministry has set a full-year growth target of 7-7.5 per cent to between $245 billion and $246 billion.
The meeting will be joined by the chairman of the Thai Trade Representative’s Office, Olarn Chaipravat. The office will help draw up strategies for promoting exports to particular markets.
According to the meeting’s agenda, it will discuss how to promote more investment in Asean so that manufacturers can reduce the costs of importing raw materials and benefit from free trade within the region.
The ministry will focus on exports of farm goods in particular, because about one-third of Thais live off the agricultural sector. Top-priority products include rice, rubber and sugar.
Thailand’s 20 top export products are rice, rubber, sugar, electronic goods, electrical appliances, automobiles and parts, plastic and plastic products, textile and garments, jewellery and ornaments, rubber products, printing, paper and packaging, travel goods, leather goods, footwear, furniture, cosmetics, kitchenware and home-decor items, pet foods, medical equipment, and toys.
